A brief history of care for handicapped individuals on Guam is traced from early refusal to acknowledge their existence, to their increased visibility and current efforts toward least restrictive placement for education and care. It is explained that societal attitudes toward the handicapped in Guam are characterized by pity, neglect and repulsion which result in hiding them either in the home or in large residential institutions. Three conclusions are drawn: 1) the community must be ready for changes to occur; 2) the attitudinal change can be quickened by intensive public education efforts; and 3) transition to the least restrictive delivery of services will occur only when and to the degree that the general population is ready. (CL)